Fremont Mayor Accused of Using Police to Intimidate Witnesses Amid Crime Increase

FREMONT, OHIO — Residents say their city is spiraling and they’re pointing fingers at Mayor Danny Sanchez and the Fremont Police Department.
Allegations are mounting that the mayor has used police intimidation to silence witnesses to false arrests, harassment, and defamation — while violent crime and drug activity surge across Fremont.

The Tipping Point
The controversy started in 2022 when Chief Derek Wensinger was placed on leave for insubordination and misconduct.
He allegedly told a female officer she would “have a hard time in law enforcement” because of her race and gender twice.
Despite lying about it and being on probation, he was only suspended five days.
Residents say that’s when trust began to crumble.

The 2024 False Arrests
In 2024, Officer Jason Kiddey was caught on bodycam footage arresting journalists who were legally filming in public near the Fremont Federal Credit Union.
Kiddey reportedly never questioned witnesses, yelled at the journalists to stop filming, and demanded IDs.
When one refused, he was falsely arrested for “obstruction.”
Another journalist filming the incident was also arrested.
Bodycam footage shows excessive force and unsafe detention the suspects were left in a hot vehicle for minutes with no air conditioning.

Cameras Off, Cover-Up On
Officer Stacey Robinson’s bodycam later caught officers discussing how to cover up their mistake including someone telling her to turn her camera off.
She did.
Both journalists were eventually released.
Robinson resigned within a month. Kiddey resigned six days later…
…and was hired by the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office.
Yes, after violating journalists’ rights, he got another badge.

“We’re Being Harassed for Speaking Out”
Residents who could testify against the officers say they’ve been targeted by Fremont Police.
Detectives have allegedly shown up at their homes claiming “noise complaints” over construction work, talking, or even laughing.
“There’s no law against laughing,” one resident said. “This isn’t China. We have the First Amendment.”

Another resident said police parked outside their home and patrolled on foot, apparently trying to intimidate them.

Security footage shows nothing illegal just normal neighborhood sounds.
Attorneys have advised residents to record everything for an upcoming lawsuit against the City of Fremont.

Residents Speak Out
“It’s ridiculous that detectives use taxpayer money to intimidate witnesses instead of solving crimes like the Rural King theft or the Delaware Acres shootings. Crime is rising, drugs are returning, and trust is gone.”
“Our police should protect us not harass us. We’re organizing protests and confronting the mayor directly.”

The Silence from City Hall
Mayor Danny Sanchez has not responded to repeated calls for comment.
Residents say that while police focus on intimidation, violent crime and drug problems are returning to 1990s levels.
The community is demanding answers and accountability.
Investigations are ongoing into other Sandusky County officials, including a municipal court judge and county employee allegedly tied to false complaints.

Bodycam footage courtesy of one of the journalists arrested by Officer Kiddey.



Investigation ongoing stay tuned for updates as this story develops.